Under $3K to $25K Display Brochures
I’m getting old, but not too old to learn from my mistakes. Over the past year, I’ve largely ignored printed sales collateral as a tool for Classic Distributors. That’s not to say we haven’t created high quality PDF’s (such as Tablet Stands and OTM Neo and Express Furniture), but they have been mostly promotional sheets, not product line sheets. My feeling was — It’s all online on the Classic website or in Exhibit Design Search.
New Charging Stations — Q&A Video with Kevin and Mel
When we introduced our newest Charging Stations at EXHIBITORLIVE, we expected them to do well. Our definition of “well” should probably change to “Yowsa!” They’ve been a big hit. As with any new product, there are questions so Kevin and Mel sat down for a casual Q&A video about the charging stations.
‘t Know
We recently introduced a 100-Day Money Back Guarantee on the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid System. No one in our industry has offered a money back guarantee before. It’s a first and in our opinion long overdue. As you can imagine, we’ve had a few distributors ask us about the logic behind this. So here goes.
Mi Design NOT Su Design: Word on the Street — June 22nd thru June 26th
Protecting your Intellectual Property is nothing new (IP). Companies of all sizes are faced with companies (and governments) stealing their designs and ideas. Some folks view it as a way of doing business — leveraging the work of others for their own professional gain or sales. I once attended a business symposium, and the featured speaker of a Fortune 1000 company blatantly said his company doesn’t invest in R&D. They borrow the work of others. It was shocking to hear.
Alaskan Cruise Photos
Several weeks ago, Cynthia Geddis, a Project Manager in our Customer Service Department, took a seven-day Alaskan cruise from Seattle on the Princess Line with her husband. For those who have never been on an Alaskan cruise, we thought you might enjoy seeing photos.
Yes, it’s a bit like you would would expect — eagles, glaciers, fiords, icebergs, totem poles, etc — but her photos take the expected and make them unexpected. Excellent shots of Mendenhall Glacier, Ketchikan, Skagway, shy whales, and some freaky big crabs. Our thanks to Cynthia for sharing these with us.
A BRILLIANT Video about the Trade Show Service Desk. Very Funny!
They Did It Again!
Another spectacular video from the folks at TS Crew. Pass it along. It should seriously go viral. That’s how good it is. Well done guys and gals. I’m already sharpening my pencil for you to win an Eddie Award for outstanding marketing at EDPA in November. “Costman” — What a hoot!!!!
Sacagawea 100-Day Guarantee (Seriously!)
Effective immediately, Sacagawea, our most popular portable hybrid display, comes with a 100-Day Guarantee. Yes, that’s our promise. “You’ll Love It — Or We’ll Take It Back.” Fill it with gas, rev the engine, and drive it around the block a couple of times at a trade show. There’s never been a “Love It” return policy for a tradeshow display… until now.
Introducing the NEW Unbranded Exhibit Design Search
Most Classic Exhibits distributors have the branded version of Exhibit Design Search (EDS), but some tap into our unbranded EDS websites. Many of you may be unfamiliar with the unbranded versions. These sites have the same features as your branded EDS site except the communication tools — Contact Us, Share, and Request a Design — point to Classic Exhibits. Why? Because they have to point somewhere.
Last week, the two Unbranded Versions were updated with larger images, a revised menu, and some interesting animations. To see the two versions — one with and one without prices — click on the links below.
‘s? Mullets, Trapper Keepers, Pagers, and Rentals
Recently, what I thought would be a simple, straight-forward conversation left me scratching my head. I was meeting with exhibit industry colleagues, and the topic turned to rentals. Admittedly, rentals shouldn’t be puzzling. Rentals have exploded at a rate 3 to 4 times faster than exhibit purchases since the recession. It’s a hot topic. What surprised me was the perception and the language used to define the exhibit rental landscape.
You would think the sales numbers would prompt a new approach. Yet, many industry professionals are still using assumptions that are — frankly — antiquated. What do I mean by that? Allow me to share the conversation.
Top 50 Trends Affecting Trade Shows and Events in 2015
GES published their 2015 Trend Tracker Report where they list the Top 50 Trends in trade shows and events. The trends are divided into four categories: Budgeting and Planning, Marketing, Technology, and Design. It’s short — only six pages if you exclude the GES ad — and it’s worth sharing.
Recent Posts
Club 815 for Cancer: Word on the Street — June 11th thru June 15th
Every year I embark on a 100 mile bike ride to raise money through the Livestrong Foundation for Cancer Research.
Well, this year I recruited some friends and together we have decided to help one of our own: Mike Swartout, Director of Design at Classic Exhibits Inc. Most know Mike, are friends with Mike, and some even call him family.
This September, employees from Classic Exhibits, Optima Graphics, Creative Dimensions, and Greg Garrett Designs will go the distance for one of their own — literally.
Four Steps to Being a Grateful Boss
When it comes to management theory, there’s the Donald Trump School of Management, the School of Love, Meditation, and Crystals, and then there’s the School of What Really Happens when the Rubber Meets the Road. We try to do the right thing, and generally, that means following some form of The Golden Rule. Tom Cox, a consultant who coaches CEOs on how to boost performance by building workplace trust, suggests this practical, if often overlooked, advice: gratitude.
Pajama Jockeys
What I’m about to discuss will make some of you really mad and some of you really, really happy. I’m not sure whether to point the finger at the trade show industry, manufacturers, distributors, or exhibitors.
Over the years, I’ve written about trade show marketing from multiple angles. I don’t pretend to be an expert. Unlike you, I’m not on the front lines working with clients, nor am I attending a dozen trade shows every year. On the other hand, I have the luxury of seeing your projects everyday and hearing from you, our designers, and our project managers about your orders and your client’s goals.
Summer Crush Specials — Savings on Quadro EO and iPad Kiosks
Quadro EO and iPad Kiosk “Summer Crush” Promotion
The Summer Crush Specials feature the Quadro EO Pop Up combined with the newly released iPad Kiosks MOD-1312 and MOD-1314. The savings are ginormous. Literally GINORMOUS!
iPad Kiosks and Summer Specials: Word on the Street — May 28th thru June 1st
June, July, (and August) Specials
Table Top Savings
Save 10% on select Table Top Displays including Sacagawea, Perfect 10, SEGUE, and Intro. These are some of our most innovative table tops, which we’ve never discounted before. But, it’s summer in Portland, OR, and we’re apt to lose our sanity after not seeing the sun for nine months. 20 kits total. Be sure to check out the quick, easy, and inexpensive iPad option for Intro Fabric Table Tops. So very, very simple. So very smart.
Sacagawea Video from Evo Exhibits
Kevin Fett, one of the owners of Evo Exhibits in Chicago, passed along this video of the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display. We liked it so much, we wanted to give you a chance to see it too. It’s a good mix of time lapse assembly and a soft sales pitch on the features and benefits of this portable system.
According to Kevin, “Thought I’d share a video of Susan Johnson putting up a Sacagawea in time lapse. Susan is 5’0″ — so we thought it would be cool to see her put one up by herself.”
Well done Kevin, Susan, and the entire Evo Exhibits team. Enjoy everyone!
Happy Memorial Day: Word on the Street — May 21st thru May 25th
While we are all enjoying a long weekend, I hope that we do not forget the reason behind this Memorial Day Weekend: Remembering those who have served and or lost their lives serving our country.
How to Win a Gold Medal at Your Next Trade Show
The Sochi Winter Olympics is just around the corner. We love watching the competition — who wins, who loses, and the inspiring stories about athletes who participate but do not win a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Athletes want to win, even if they know it’s a long shot, so they plan, prepare, and train for a chance to stand on the podium. No one prepares for the Olympics just to win a participation trophy.
Trade shows are no different. For anyone new to trade show marketing, here’s a tip no one’s ever going to share with you. You can waste A TON of MONEY participating in trade shows if you don’t know what you are doing.
‘s: Word on the Street — May 14th thru May 18th
Getting it Done in 75 Days
It’s that time of year –mid-May– when at home or at the office, you find yourself tackling projects that have been accumulating in that “to-do” list. You know the ones! They start accumulating in mid-January when it’s too cold, but we’ll get to them when we have a little more time.
SKU & You: Word on the Street
Shared Knowledge University & You
About this time of year, we normally send the Classic Distributor Network a survey with 15-18 questions. Not this time. We have cleared our schedule on June 12, 13, and 14 to connect with you. We’ll talk, we’ll listen, we’ll learn, and we’ll find answers together.
“New and Improved” Peek-a-Booth — More Webcams!
The New and Improved Peek-a-Booth
Peeking just got better. We added another camera in the Purchase Set-up Area for a total of three. Plus, we added two to the Rental Set-up Area. The Purchase and Rental areas are on opposite ends of the Classic Exhibits facility.
The Dirtiest Word in the RFP Process: Word on the Street — April 30th thru May 4th
Earmuffs Kids . . .
“BUDGET!” There I said it! The dirty word that none of us like to discuss when starting a new design. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Let me be so cavalier as to suggest that we rip the band-aid off when we first start the design. Don’t get me wrong, make sure you introduce yourself and show the client around your place a little or let them show you around theirs . . . whichever applies.
In the “Old Days” . . . .
It was Better Back When (Except When It Wasn’t)
The trade show market seems to be back, maybe not with a vengeance, but certainly with a nice steady fire. (Yes I know all the fire comments are coming — but hey, I asked for it.) Classic Distributors haven’t complained recently about business, but they have all said, “It’s good, but still not like the old days.”
SKU…What a Pisser: Word on the Street — April 23rd thru April 27th
What a Pisser
If you attended Shared Knowledge University, you know what I am talking about. 🙂
This past week we held Shared Knowledge University (SKU) training at Classic. Based on the early feedback, I think it was a success. We had 24 wonderful distributors from as far east as Albany, New York, as far south as New Orleans, and as close as Las Vegas and Orange County.
From “8 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses”
I thought I’d share a great article in www.inc.com. in case you didn’t see it. Be sure to read the comments for differing opinions. Steve Jobs? — an extraordinary boss or just “a bully with a vision”?
According to Geoffrey James in Inc.com, “The best managers have a fundamentally different understanding of workplace, company, and team dynamics.”